How to Order Coffee in Singapore Like a Local

Singapore, a bustling metropolis that practically runs on caffeine, is a paradise for coffee lovers. But far from sleek, modern coffeehouses, the real charm lies in the bustling kopitiams—traditional coffee shops that have been serving up strong brews for generations.

If you want to experience Singapore like a local, you must learn how to order coffee at a kopitiam.

This guide will unravel the mysteries of ordering coffee in Singapore, helping you decode the unique lingo and customs. From choosing the right type of coffee to customising it to your taste, we’ll show you how to blend in seamlessly and enjoy your coffee like a true Singaporean.

Ready to dive into the local coffee culture? Let’s get started!

What’s so unique about Singaporean coffee?

Butter Roasting

The journey of Singaporean coffee (local kopi) begins with its unique roasting process.

Unlike the light to medium roasts common in Western-style cafes, Singaporean coffee beans (often robusta coffee beans) are roasted in a process known as “butter roasting”.

During butter roasting, the coffee beans are constantly stirred with sugar and margarine to ensure an even coating and prevent burning. The sugar caramelises, forming a shiny glaze on the beans, while the margarine adds a subtle buttery note.

This combination creates a caramelised, slightly oily bean with a bold, robust flavour that is characteristic of kopi.

“Sock” Brewing

When it comes to brewing, kopi is typically prepared using a “sock” filter, a cloth strainer that allows for a distinctive extraction method. Here’s how it works:

1. Preparation: Ground coffee is placed into the filter, which is attached to a metal ring with a handle. This setup is typically held over a large metal jug or pot.
2. Brewing: Boiling hot water is poured over the coffee grounds in the filter. The water slowly drips through the grounds, extracting the rich flavours and aromas. This process is repeated multiple times to achieve the desired concentration of the coffee.
3. Straining: The coffee is strained through the sock filter into the jug below. The cloth filter traps fine coffee particles, ensuring a smooth, robust brew without sediment.
4. Mixing: Once brewed, the strong coffee is mixed with various ingredients according to the order. This could include sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, or sugar. The coffee is stirred vigorously to blend these components thoroughly.

This brewing method ensures a strong, full-bodied coffee, often brewed in large batches, which contrasts with the single-serving drip or espresso methods popular in the West.

Preparation

A defining feature of Singaporean coffee is its use of condensed and evaporated milk.

While Western coffee often includes milk or cream, kopi is enriched with sweetened condensed milk, which gives it a rich, sweet taste, or evaporated milk, which offers a creamy texture without additional sweetness.

The customisation of kopi is another aspect that sets it apart. Various terms denote different combinations of sugar, milk, and strength. To make sense of the various ways you can order kopi, here are the basic terms you need to know:

1. Kopi: Black coffee with condensed milk
2. Kopi-O – Black coffee with sugar
3. Kopi-C – Black coffee with evaporated milk and sugar.
4. Kosong – Without sugar
5. Siu Si – Slightly less sugar
6. Siew Dai – Less sugar
7. Gah Dai – Extra condensed milk
8. Gau – Strong (more concentrated coffee).
9. Peng – Iced.

Common Kopi Orders

Now that you know what the basic terms mean, it’s time to put them together to order kopi exactly the way you want.

Still struggling to mix and match these terms? Not to worry, here’s a comprehensive list of possible kopi orders in a Singaporean kopitiam:

1. Kopi – Coffee with sweetened condensed milk
2. Kopi-O – Black coffee with sugar
3. Kopi-C – Coffee with evaporated milk and sugar
4. Kopi-O Kosong – Black coffee only
5. Kopi-C Kosong: Black coffee with evaporated milk
6. Kopi Siew Dai – Coffee with less sugar
7. Kopi-O Siew Dai – Black coffee with less sugar
8. Kopi-C Siew Dai – Coffee with evaporated milk and less sugar
9. Kopi Siu Si – Coffee with slightly less sugar
10. Kopi-O Siu Si – Black coffee with slightly less sugar
11. Kopi-C Siu Si – Coffee with evaporated milk and slightly less sugar
12. Kopi Gau – Strong coffee with condensed milk and sugar
13. Kopi-O Gau – Strong black coffee with sugar
14. Kopi-C Gau – Strong coffee with evaporated milk and sugar
15. Kopi Gah Dai – Black coffee with extra condensed milk
16. Kopi Kosong Gau – Strong black coffee without sugar

Bonus: Cham/Yuan Yang – Equal parts black coffee and black tea with condensed milk. The result is a beverage that balances the robustness of coffee with the aromatic, slightly tannic qualities of tea.

This list should cover most of the common variations you’ll encounter in a Singaporean kopitiam! These are hot coffee orders, so if you want iced coffee, just add “Peng” at the end (e.g. Kopi-C Siu Si Peng).

Bring the Taste of Singapore Home with SG65

As you explore the vibrant world of kopi, why not bring a piece of this experience home?

SG65 offers a range of souvenirs that celebrate Singapore’s coffee culture, including stylish thermal flasks and stainless steel mugs.

These high-quality items not only keep your coffee at the perfect temperature but also serve as a reminder of your journey into the heart of Singaporean coffee traditions.

So, whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or a curious traveller, embrace the local way of enjoying coffee and take a bit of that local charm with you wherever you go.

Visit SG65 to discover the perfect souvenir that captures the essence of Singapore’s beloved kopi culture!